Universal coupling



UNIVERSAL couPLING Filed Jan. .6., 1943 SheQtS-Sheet 2 Y pling -andfitsf associated parts l Fig, 1o isaseetoneefthejnne lor-warst f Patented Oct. 9, 1945 'Morgan Construction Company,

Worcester,

'Y 'Massa a corporation of Massachusetts Application January 6, 1943, serial No. 471,422

crei-7) This invention relates to 'universal couplings, and more particularly tok spindle couplingsI of the type used in rolling mills to connect .the pinion shafts with the roll necks..

l Rolling mill spindle couplings yare subjectedto heavy torquesthey :must .operate with considerable misali'gnment, and they are limited in overall diameter xtc, avoid interference..y with adjacent couplings.; Many cfi these'devices Aas heretofore cons tructedfhave'beennoisyzin operation and sublect t Severe WeaLj. L Many 1 prior couplings Vhave beenjcomplicated and `expensive to manufacture. Changing-circus or removal of the spindle hasA been difficult and time-consuming. .I Itjisaccordinglyone. objectrof the invention to .provide a universal lcouplingv'particularly suitable for driving rolling millsand capable v,of transmitting heavy torques under vconditions of appreci ablefmisalignment.'

y :Itisa further .object pf the invention to 'provide Ya-rellirignnill spindle coupling which willvoperate quietly and underv severe operating conditions throughout a long lifefof service. 1 1 ltisa further objectief.theinvention to provide a`V rolling. mill spindle coupling'which will be comparatively simple an nexpensive -to `manufacture.

n further object lof ,the 'intendente pro-y vide arolling mill .spindlel coupling .so constructed and arranged Athat therollsrcan easily be chang-ed orlfthe Ispindle rernoved in a simple and expeditious manner. Y- s Y ylt/ith these and other objects in view, 'as Willbe apparent to those skilled in the art; the .invention resides in the combination .ofparts setLforth-in the specilcationand covered by the 4claims appended hereto.; `1

Referring to the drawin s illustrating one embodiment .of-'the invention andin which like reference numerals indicate 5likepa-rts.

itsoperativeposition; K I v Y y F'gifZ s an 'elevation'zof thecoupling disconnected romthe shafts atsitszopposite ends; g -Fig.3 :is alongitudinal section through the ceu-v n V theouplingfdisconnected from the shafts; Y lFigilSafsectiOnontheline 6-6 of Fig. 4; ,Y Fig-5121s asection on the line'l--loffFig 4;- I

8 Claims.

l Y Fig. 11 isa `perspective view vof a slipper forming'a part of `the mechanism; v and Fig. 12 is a-detailof a ring,eon a somewhatgenlargedfscale.

y The embodiment illustrated comprises two roe tatable elements or shafts' I5 which are arranged in approximatealignment-and project toward one another, with their adjacent ends spaced apart. One of these elements may-be the neck of arolling mill roll, andthe iother elementrmay be the pinion shaft which serves toidrive the roll. The

end portion of each Aof these elements isprovided with Aa cylindrical outersurface I6 which is 'interrupted by four longitudinally extending igrooves I'l equally spaced about the circumference. These grooves are deep, andthe adjacent sidesr of ad jacent grooves lie in parallel planes; 'The cylindrical surface IB is also interrupted by-a com'- grooves vI l.

paratively shallow circumferentialgroove I9 Vlocated approximatelyrmidway of the length of the On each of the` rotatable elements I5 there is mounted a couplingmemberv 2| having a cylindrical louter .surface-f' Each member 2lY has a socket ,22 in its outer end vshaped to receivete end rportion ofy the adjacent element I5. This socket has a cylindrical'inner surface'whichis interrupted by four longitudinally extending ribs 23Aequally spaced circurn'ferentially.`A These ribs are vshaped to nt within the grooves I1 at assembly. `i In order to hold the memberlZI Ain-place during periods of operation, a screw 25 extends radially .therethroughinto the groove vI 9,V the head of the-.screw being located in a recess 25 inthe coupling kmernbe'r-sothat it Willnot project above the cylindrical 4'outer surface thereof.

The inner portiomof each coupling member 2| is provided with-a transverse cylindrical bore '28 40 .@nlg` 1 is 'an elevation of a spindle l.coupling in with its .axis located in a plane vpassing between the Yribsi23. This bore is intersected by a chamber 29 which extends from the socket 22 to the inner `end of. thercoupling member. This chamberisoblongin transverse cross-section, it being elongated in a direction parallel with lthe -bore 28 to a dimension approximately equal to the diameter'-cf the socketZZ. Preferably, the roppositfe ends of the bore V'28 are counterbored (as `best shown `'in Fig. 8) to receivel plugs 30 rwhich are suitably' secured in place'by welding or Vother meansffY The outer surfaces of these plugs lare lcylindrical to conform smoothlywith vthe outer surfacesof AYt-he couplingmember; and their inner surfaces lare plane and `spaced 'apart av` distance approximately equall'tcthe' diameter'of the socketr opposite sides of each head are formed by plane parallel surfaces which are engaged by slippers;V

35, each slipper having a convex cylindrical surface 36 (Fig. 11) of the same radius as the bore 28 and engaging the wall thereof at assembly. The spindle 32 is preferably cylindrical,` with its diameter approximately equal to the thickness of the heads- 33, this dimension being slightly less than the distance between two adjacent ribs 23 in the socket 22. 33 are preferably approximately equal in length to the distance-between the plane Ifaces of the plugs 3B, and the ends of the heads are formed as surfaces of spheres havingdiameters equal to the same distance. On each end of the spindle 32 there is provided an axially projecting boss or lug 138 which extends into proximity with the ends of the4 adjacent element i5 to prevent appreciable axial displacement of the spindle.

Provisionis made for retaining grease within the couplings. For this purpose each coupling member 2| isx provided with an annular flange 40 on its inner end, and a pair of rings 4| are slidably mounted on the spindle 32. Each ange 40 is connected to the adjacent ringl by an annular boot42 of a suitable flexible material, such as a grease-tight fabric, held in place by wires 43. For the purpose of assembly, each ring 4l is made in two diametrically separable parts, as shown in Fig. l2, with the ends of these parts interfitting. In the assembled mechanism the wires 43 will hold the two parts of eachring together. f

The roperation of the invention will now be apparent from the above disclosure. The spindle 32-and its associated parts will transmit power from one of the shafts l5V to the other smoothly and uniformly even thoughV these shafts may be considerably out'of alignment. Under such operating conditionsthere will be a continuous oscillating' movement of the spindle heads 33 between the slippers 35, and a continuous oscillat- Y. the parts of the coupling.

The slippers 35 and the heads4 23, as shown in Fig. 9. The coupling members 2l will now be clear of the roll neck and pinion shaft, so that the spindle and coupling members may all be lifted directly upward without interference, as indicated in Fig. 2. The invention also facilitates the changing of rolls in a roll housing of the open-top type, since it is merely necessary to retract from the roll neck the correspending coupling member, whereupon the roll can be raised without interference with any of The invention has relatively few parts, and these are comparatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture. For example, each coupling member 2l can be made of cast steel, with the socket. 22 'and chamber 29 formed in the casting. It is a very simple matter to machine the bore 28, with the counterbores at its ends for the plugs 3E). In many cases it will be unnecessary to machine the walls of the socket 22, but this can'readily be done if desired.y It will also be noted that the rotatable elements I5 are of a comparatively simple shape which can be manufactured at relatively low cost.A

Having thus described Vmy invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A universalcoupling comprising a coupling member having a socket in its outerl end shaped to engage a driving or driven element, a chamber in its inner endand a transverse cylindrical `bore intersecting and crossing the chamber, plugs closing the ends .of the bore, two spaced slippers loc-ated Within the bore, the slippers having convex cylindrical surfaces engaging the opposite walls of the bore and opposed parallel plane surfaces, a spindle entering the chamber, and a transverse head on the spindle between the slippers, the head having parallel plane surfaces on its opposite sides engaging the plane surfaces of the slippersthe ends of the head being shaped to provide spherical surfaces which engage the said plugs. f

2. Avuniversal coupling comprising a coupling member having `a 'socket in its outer-end shaped to engage a. driving or driven element, a chamber extending from the socket to the inner end ing movementof the slippers 35 inthe cylindrical bores 28. YThese movements involve a sliding action betweenl surfaces which arefwell lubricated and of ample area to avoid excessive concentrations of pressure thereon. rIhese surfaces are entirely enclosed to retain the grease and prevent accessof foreign matter. The annular coupling members 2l provide great strength to support the slippers, and ythey can bemadeuappreciably smaller in outside kdiameter-,than the bifurcated members commonly used in prior couplings, which tend to spread apart when subjected to heavy torques. i

If a roll stand is to be taken out of service or dummied, the spindle coupling can easily be removed. It is merely necessary to removethe screws 25 and slide the coupling members 2| inwardly toward one another to the positions shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The rings 4I and the slippers 35 will slide along the spindle 32,k and the spindle 32l will holdthel slippers in place inthe bores ,28,faswill be clear from Fig'. 10.v The spindle heads 33 willenten the spaces between the ribs of the couplingA member, and aitransverse bore intersecting and crossing the chamber, the ends of the bore being closed, two spaced slippers engaging the opposite walls ofv the bore, a spindle entering the chamber, and a transverse head on the spindle between the slippers, Vthe thickness of the head being at least as great as that of the adjacent portion of the spindle, and the socket being of a size and shape to receive the head as the coupling member and slippers are moved inwardly over the spindle,

3. A universal spindle comprising a coupling member having a socket in its outer end shaped to engagea driving or driven element,v a chamber yextending from the socket to the inner end of the coupling member, and a transverse bore intersecting and crossing the chamber, two spaced slippers engaging the opposite walls of the bore, a spindle entering the chamber, and a head on the spindle extending transversely thereof to form aT-shaped structure, the head being located between' the'slippers, the thickness of the; head being at least .as greatyas that of the-adjacent portion `of the spindle, and the socket being' of a size` and shapeto receive the head asvthe couplingmember and slippers are moved inwardly. over thespindle.

4. A universal coupling comprising a coupling member having a socket in its outer end shaped to engage a driving or driven element, a chamber extending from the socket to the inner end of the coupling member, and a transverse bore intersecting and crossing the chamber, plugs closing the ends of the bore, two spaced slippers engaging the opposite walls of the bore, a spindle entering the chamber, and a transverse head on the spindle between the slippers with its ends engaging the plugs, the thickness of the head being at least as great as that of the adjacent portion of the spindle, and the socket being shaped to provide two diametrically opposed longitudinally extending grooves arranged to receive the ends of the head as the coupling member and slippers are moved inwardly over the spindle.

5. A universal coupling comprising a generally cylindrical coupling member having a socket in its outer end shaped to engage a driving or driven element, a chamber of oblong cross-section extending from the socket to the inner end of the coupling member, and a transverse cylindrical bore intersecting and crossing the chamber in the directicn'of its larger dimension, plugs closing the ends of the bore, two spaced slippers located within the bore, the slippers having convex cylindrical surfaces engaging the opposite walls of the bore and opposed parallel plane surfaces, a spindle entering the chamber, and a chamber, and a transverse head on the spindle having parallel plane surfaces on its oppOsite sides engaging the plane surfaces of the slippers and surfaces on its ends engaging the plugs, the thickness of the head being at least as great as that of the adjacent portion of the spindle, and the grooves in the socket being wider than the thickness of the head so that they will receive the ends of the head as the coupling member and slippers are moved inwardly over the spindle.

'7. A universal coupling comprising a generally cylindrical c-oupling member having a socket in its outer end with a cylindrical inner surface interrupted by four longitudinally extending ribs transverse head on the spindle having parallel 1 plane surfaces on its opposite sides engaging the plane surfaces of the slippers and spherical surfaces on its ends engaging the plugs, the thickness of the head being at least as great as that of the adjacent portion of the spindle, and the socket being shaped to provide two diametrically opposed longitudinally extending grooves arranged to receive the ends of the head as the coupling member andfslippers are moved inf wardly'over the spindle.

6. A universal coupling comprising a generally cylindrical coupling member having a socket in its outer end with ka cylindrical inner surface interrupted by four longitudinally extending ribs equally spaced circumferentially to form two pairs of opposed grooves, a chamber of oblong Y y cross-section extending from the socket to the inner end of the coupling member and aligned with one of the pairs of grooves, and a transverse cylindrical Ybore intersecting Aand crossing the chamber in the direction of its larger dimension, plugs closing the ends of the bore, two spaced slippers located within the bore, the slippers having convex cylindrical surfaces engaging the opposite walls of the bore and opposed parallel plane surfaces, a spindle entering the equally spaced circumferentially to form two pairs of opposed grooves, a chamber of oblong cross-section extending from the socket to the inner end of the coupling member and aligned with one of the pairs of grooves, a transverse cylindrical bore intersecting and crossing the chamber in the direction of its larger dimension, and counterbores in the ends of the bore, plugs mounted in the counterbores and closing the bore at its ends, two spaced slippers located within the bore, the slippers having convex cylindrical surfaces engaging the opposite walls of the bore and opposed parallel plane surfaces, a spindle of substantially cylindrical cross-section entering the chamber, and a transverse head on the spindle having parallel plane surfaces on its opposite sides engaging the plane surfaces of the slippers and spherical surfaces on its ends engaging the plugs, the thickness of the head `being at least as great as the diameter of the spindle, and the grooves in the socket being wider than the thickness of the head so that they will receive the ends of the head as the coupling member and slippers are moved inwardly over the spindle.

8. A universal coupling comprising a coupling member having a socket in its outer end shaped to engage a driving or driven element, a chamber extending from the socket to the inner end of the coupling member, and a transverse bore intersecting and crossing the chamber, the ends of the bore being closed, two spaced slippers engaging the opposite walls of the bore, a spindle entering the chamber, a transverse head on the spindle between vthe slippers, the thickness of the head being at least as great as that of the adjacent portion of the spindle, and the socket being of a size and shape to receive the head as the coupling member and slippers are moved inwardly over theV spindle, a ring slidably mounted on the spindle, and a flexible annular boot connecting the ring with the inner end of the coupling member.

JOSEPH M. OMAILEY. 

